Ill. Rep. Aaron Schock’s Gay Marriage Quote Revives Rumors

Aaron Schock, a young congressman from Illinois, has been receiving national attention not so much for his political stances as for his buff physique, his non-reluctance to display it, his (to some questionable) wardrobe choices, and his sexual preference.

His performance at a media event on Jan. 30 only added to speculation on the Web about which "church" the unmarried representative attends. The Capitol Fax blog posted a video that showed reporters swarming around the conservative. One reporter asks Schock why he doesn’t support same-sex marriage, which has is a hot-button issue in his home state.

Lawmakers in Springfield, the state capital, are discussing a measure that would legalize same-sex marriage. The head of the state GOP created something of a crisis in the party when he came out in favor of the measure, with various county party leaders and right-wing groups calling for his ouster.

Instead of giving a firm, definitive answer about his views on marriage equality, Schock, 31, hesitated and seemed confused. "Uh, well, I, I just haven’t," he said. When the reporter asked him the question again,

Shock did a slightly better job at explaining himself; but his answer was still muddled. "I think everybody has a set of beliefs on issues, social issues in particular, that are a reflection of how they were raised and their set of beliefs," he said.

What left Schock-watchers especially confused about his own opinion on the matter was past statements where he said he was firmly with the majority of his party where LGBT matters were concerned. Shock voted against the repeal of "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell" and including sexual orientation as a hate crime.

He had stated flat out that he was against same-sex marriage last year, according to BuzzFeed’s Chris Geidner. He told the gay journalist that he was in favor of retaining the Defense of Marriage Act. He did add, however, he had not "really thought too much about it."

Schock has been the subject of widespread gay rumors, which he has denied many times. In September, Michelangelo Signorile of SiriusXM’s OutQ asked Schock at the Republican National Convention outright if he was gay.

His answer seemed to some (OK, to many) as evasive at best. "Those questions are completely ridiculous and inappropriate," he told the gay author and radio host. "I’ve said that before and I don’t think it’s worthy of further response. I think you can look it up." Shock then abruptly cut off Signorile from going further.

That didn’t do much to squelch the rumors, especially when Schock commented on Paul Ryan’s body when he was in a gay neighborhood in Tampa, Fla., during the convention. TMZ filmed him walking past stores selling gay-related items while dishing about the former GOP vice president nominee’s super-worked on physique. Ryan expressed a number of times during the 2012 presidential election that he was a gym rat and went into detail about his exercise regimen.

When someone asked Schock if he has any fashion tips for Ryan, he said, "I think Paul’s in great shape. I think a little bit of leaner attire to help accentuate that physique he works so hard to, you know, maintain."

Gay rumors have plagued Schock since 2004, when a Chicago newspaper reporter asked him pointblank if he was gay. In 2010, Schock wore white jeans, a hot pink gingham button up Polo shirt and a teal belt to a White House picnic. While there’s certainly no "gay" way to dress, Internet wags had a field day with his outré attire. Schock was apparently so upset by the online attention and tweeted he had "burned the belt." (Some, it should be noted, would construe the ceremonial destruction of a hated piece of clothing on a ritual pyre as itself kind of, well, gay.)

Whether gay or not, Shock showed that he could probably score with either sex when he appeared on the June 2011 cover of Men’s Health. Even the most rabidly anti-GOPer had to grant that his six-pack abs and hairless carved torso were impressive.

Comments

Anonymous, 2013-02-01 05:18:45

Anonymous, 2013-02-01 06:05:10

I guess we’ll just have to wait for him to "Tripp" up on someone else’s blue gym shorts. When that time comes his political career will be over and he can go into porn.

Anonymous, 2013-02-01 11:10:49

Why the hell does everyone believe that we’re defined by who we love? Or even sleep with... For phucks sake, between this dude the ND football player and lord knows who else, it seems as tho the "proud gays" are just as much bullies as the homophobic straights...

Anonymous, 2013-02-01 11:22:58

Its people like him that stay under the norms of society that holds back that LGBT community. I am not saying lets out him, but don’t be so afraid to live your life. Don’t allow others to keep you in the box. Break free and support your lgbt bothers and sisters!

Anonymous, 2013-02-01 12:56:07

To Bomo: we shouldn’t be defined by who we love. But it’s closet cases like Schock who keep pointing out through legislation that those who love others of the same sex are defined differently under the law. This is truly bullying.

Blondie , 2013-02-01 13:27:48

Sonetimes, the biggest haters are closet cases. The old adage holds true. If it walkslike a duck and talks like a duck... chances are good that it’s a duck. :)

Marc , 2013-02-01 23:07:25

Anonymous is a bs’er. Shock is 31 white attractive and hell’s bells a Republican. Gay people especially the politically left need some angle to hate on Republican dude who makes them horny.

Anonymous, 2013-02-07 21:32:34

To the author: you use the term "sexual preference" in your opening paragraph, but I believe you should be using "sexual orientation". One’s orientation is gay, bisexual or straight. One’s sexual preference usually refers to the things one enjoys in bed. If a guy is in bed with another guy, his preference isn’t defined by who he’s sleeping with, but what activities he enjoys with that person. By using "preference" instead of "orientation" you suggest that being gay is a choice. It isn’t.

Chris Jeffreys, 2013-02-16 23:12:30

Just let the guy alone. Comment on his legislative positions, not anything to go with his personal life. Those Democrats who are trying to force him to admit something that is highly personal are just as bad as

Chris Jeffreys, 2013-02-16 23:13:00

The republicans who are constantly on a witch hunt. Enough"

Anonymous, 2013-06-26 11:44:25

I am from Peoria were he is from. Everybody here knows he is gay. Just come out Aaron. Today is a day for you to celebrate. Nothing more sad that you won’t let yourself be who you are.

There is something special about the commitment to animal rights and the rescue of senior dogs by Go-Go’s band mates Jane Wiedlin, rhythm guitar and vocals, and Gina Schock, drummer. EDGE’s BeBe Sweetbriar spoke to the pair about their interest in this cause, living in San Francisco, and the return of the Go-Go’s.

During the GOP convention last week, we looked at the hotties in the Republican Party. This week we (much more happily!) turn to the Democrats and give the men & women of the Donkey Party their moment in the sun.